Our Wills Must Surrender
True Christianity requires a life of active obedience to God's will, not just a passive surrender.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical importance of surrendering our wills to God, arguing that modern Christianity often neglects the doctrine of obedience. He asserts that true religion is rooted in the will, and that genuine transformation occurs only when individuals actively obey God's commands. Tozer warns against the confusion that arises from believing without obedience, highlighting that mere passive surrender is insufficient. He calls for a revival of the emphasis on obedience within the church, reminding us that disobedience led to humanity's downfall while obedience restores our relationship with God.
Text
The Christian doctrine of obedience to God and to His will is now largely neglected in modern religious circles, and many in our own congregations seem to feel that our obligation to obey has been discharged by the act of believing on Jesus Christ at the beginning of our Christian lives. We need to remember that "the will is the seat of true religion in the soul." Nothing genuine has been done in a man or woman's life until his or her will has been surrendered in active obedience. It was disobedience that brought about the ruin of the race. It is the obedience of faith that brings us back again into the divine favor! It needs to be said that a world of confusion results from trying to believe without obeying!
A mere passive surrender may be no surrender at all.
Any real submission to the will of God must include willingness to take orders from Him from that time on. I keep wondering whether the Lord's ministers will again give to obedience the place of prominence it occupies in the Scriptures.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Obedience
- Obedience is the seat of true religion
- Disobedience led to the ruin of the race
Key Quotes
“the will is the seat of true religion in the soul” — A.W. Tozer
“a world of confusion results from trying to believe without obeying” — A.W. Tozer
“any real submission to the will of God must include willingness to take orders from Him from that time on” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be willing to surrender our wills to God's will in order to live a life of true Christianity.
- Active obedience is essential for maintaining a relationship with God and living a life of true obedience.
- We must be willing to take orders from God from that time on in order to experience true surrender and obedience.